Standardized protocols reduce opioid use in surgical patients

Standardized electronic order sets significantly decreased inpatient opioid use for emergency general surgery patients from January 2019 to June 2023. The total morphine milligram equivalents (mme) per patient and average mme per opioid dose decreased notably, demonstrating sustained effects across administration routes. Additionally, lower mme medications were increasingly ordered, and multimodal regimens expanded, all while maintaining stable pain scores. This research suggests that effective opioid management can enhance surgical care for vulnerable populations.